Κάμπος, Δυτική Μάνη, Μεσσηνία.
Πυργοκατοικία Αλέξανδρου Κουμουνδούρου.

Kampos, West Mani, Messenia – Greece.
Tower-house of Alexandros Koumoundouros.

The towers of Mani are military hallmarks of a glorious era. The first fortification towers appear in the 13th century and they are an expression of the fighting spirit of the region. The main reason for the imperative need of fortifying with a tower was the segregation of Mani society into clans or families. The building of the family tower was the great dream and final goal of the men of Mani and the common obligation of all the male members of the clan. The tower was the bastion of freedom but also the fort of the warring parties in the terrible Mani feuds.

The Mani region has a unique set of characteristics. It is a place that combines the beauty of the landscape with the simplicity and warmth of the people who inhabit it. Despite the dominance of the stone buildings it is a place that fascinates visitors. Until recent years Mani was a difficult place to reach and was characterised by the tower houses that the people built for refuge in times of trouble. The main feature that strikes first time visitors is the simple but rigid architecture of the buildings built mainly of stone. The imposing castles, fortified chateaus and mansions and cobbled streets make the Mani virtually an "open museum".

The tower house of Koumoundourou, in the village of Kampos, was built in the 1830’s. It has two floors and a semicircular protrusion and its reputation is due mainly to the fact that Alexander Koumoundouros (1815 - 1883) was for many years Prime Minister of Greece during the post Greek revolution era.

More images from the region of Mani at my gallery: Kevrekidis Photography

[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

© 2013 Jordan Kevrekidis

Estação Ferroviária de Vale do Peso - Crato . Districto Portalegre - ALENTEJO, PORTUGAL





A Estação Ferroviária de Vale do Peso é uma interface ferroviária desactivada do Ramal de Cáceres, que servia a localidade de Vale do Peso, no Distrito de Portalegre, em Portugal.

O Ramal de Cáceres foi totalmente construído pela Companhia Real dos Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses, tendo as obras sido iniciadas em 15 de Julho de 1878; esta ligação entrou ao serviço no dia 15 de Outubro do ano seguinte, mas a abertura oficial só se realizou em 6 de Junho de 1880.

A operadora Comboios de Portugal suprimiu todos os comboios Regionais no Ramal de Cáceres no dia 1 de Fevereiro de 2011, ficando esta interface sem quaisquer serviços.

Os oitos painéis instalados na estação de Vale do Peso são, tal como os das estações de Castelo de Vide e da Beirã (Marvão) são da autoria de Jorge Colaço, um dos maiores azulejistas portugueses e terão sido produzidos nos anos 30 do século passado.

Jorge Colaço (1868 – 1942)
Estudou pintura em Madrid e em Paris. Foi pintor, caricaturista e azulejista.Distinguiu-se principalmente como caricaturista e desenhador, tendo os seus desenhos sido publicados em alguns jornais da época como O Talassa.São de sua autoria os azulejos do Hotel do Buçaco, os painéis da estação de S. Bento no Porto, assim como os da sala dos Passos Perdidos da antiga Faculdade de Ciências, em Lisboa. Trabalhou na Fábrica de Sacavém até 1922 e depois, na Fábrica Lusitana, onde teve oficina própria. Tem trabalhos em azulejaria em vários países do mundo.



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Google Translation

The Train Station of Vale do Peso is an interface disused railway Extension of Cáceres, which served the town of Vale do Peso, the District of Portalegre in Portugal.

The Extension of Cáceres was built entirely by the Company of the Royal Portuguese Railways, having been initiated in the works July 15, 1878, this link entered service on 15 October of the following year, but the official opening took place only in June 6, 1880.

The carrier Train Portugal suppressed all trains in Regional Extension Caceres on February 1, 2011, this interface without getting any services.

The eight panels installed on the station Valley Weight are like the seasons of Castelo de Vide and Beira (Marvão) are by Jorge Colaco, a leading Portuguese azulejistas and have been produced in the 30s of last century.

Jorge Colaco (1868 - 1942)
He studied painting in Madrid and Paris. Was a painter, caricaturist and azulejista.Distinguiu mainly as a cartoonist and designer, and his drawings have been published in some newspapers at the time as The Talassa.São of his own tiles Hotel Buçaco, panels station S. Benedict in Porto, as well as the room of Lost Steps of the former Faculty of Sciences, Lisbon. Worked in the factory until 1922 and then Sacavém, Factory Lusitana, where he had his own workshop. It works on tiles in various countries of the world.

Castelo de Vide - Distrito: Portalegre - ALENTEJO, PORTUGAL




Castelo de Vide - History
The Romans first settled here in 44 BC being an important point in the road from Merida in Spain across to the west coast. The Vandals conquered and destroyed the town in the 4th Century. It was later rebuilt by the Moors in the 7th Century until 1148 when it was taken by forces led by Gonçalo Mousinho who then became its governor. The town's first Royal Charter was issued in 1180 and unlike other places it was required to organize its own defences and in return the young men of the town were not by law automatically obliged to be soldiers. It is unknown when Vide as it was originally known was first fortified. On the orders of Dom Dinis the castle was rebuilt in 1310 and its name was prefixed by the word Castelo. When Afonso IV ascended to the throne he gave the town to his younger brother. This same brother later laid claim to the throne and an imminent battle for the castle was only avoided by the clever intervention of the ambassadors sent by the future to be Queen of Portugal, Dona Isabel de Aragon. Its protection and close border location was to attract many Jews from Spain during 1492 that escaped from the severe persecution handed out by the Catholic Church. In 1704 the Spanish attempted unsuccessfully to capture the castle but later fell to the attack of the Duke of Berwick who threatened to put all in the town to the sword. The defending Portuguese then placed all their gunpowder for protection in a well but a year later an explosion of this powder destroyed a great part of its fortifications. When they proceeded to rebuilt and extend the walls they included the houses that had grown up around the castle in the outer walls.

Castelo de Vide - Description
It is a most attractive small Spa Town with lots of fascinating architectural character. Sitting on the northern edge of the Serra de São Mamede it is a popular place for passing tourists due to its natural welcoming charm and the claimed healing powers of its Spa waters. Within the castle walls there stands the 17th Century Capela de Nossa Senhora da Alegria that also contains attractive tiles of the same period. The old part of Castelo de Vide has lots of character with small typical houses of the region lining the steep very narrow cobbled streets. This is the Judiaria Quarter and on the corner of one of these streets there still stands a 13th Century synagogue. Many of these modest homes together with the grander houses have door and window surrounds artistically worked in the local granite. The church of Salvador do Mundo is also from the 13th Century but it underwent some interior changes in the 18th Century amongst which is the addition of some attractive tiles.

Castelo de Vide - Nearby Locations
To the northwest is the town of Nisa that acts as a contrast to Castelo de Vide as the streets are in comparison open and un-crowded by the local buildings. The Templars constructed this present version of the town as its original site that was destroyed by invading vandals whom invaded Portugal from the north.

To the south is the town of Marvão, another very attractive fortified location that is perched on a spectacular ridge some 862 mts. above sea level. This strategic factor influenced the Romans to fortify the location in the 1st Century. Its present name probably originates from its ruler, Ibn Maruán in the 10th Century. The castle was originally built round 1299 and crowns the enclosed hamlet that has panoramic views to the south and east across towards Spain. Due to its high position and well built fortifications the castle was only once conquered which was in the Civil War of 1833 when the Liberals achieved access by a secret entrance. In the 15th Century Chapel is a Visigoth statue that was surprisingly discovered after being hidden for 300 years during the town occupation by the Moors. A dramatic yet harsh location that often features in Portuguese poetry and sonnets. Surprisingly, close by in this hidden corner of Portugal there is an enjoyable 18-hole golf course and bordering it is a signs of a Roman ruins from 45AD.

Slightly further to the south is the commercial town of Portalegre that grew to prominence in the 16th and 17th Centuries. To the southwest the small town of Crato belies its historic past. In the 13th Century this town was given to the powerful Order of Hospitaliers who originally assisted in the fight against the Moors in the reign of Dom Sancho II. The town was to become their headquarters when in 1356 Dom Álvaro Gonçalves Pereira ordered the building of the nearby Monastery of Santa Maria da Flor da Rosa. It later was to enjoy the patronage of both Dom Manuel I and Dom João III. The order was located in the Monastery that in the reign of Dom Luís in 1527 was replaced by the Order of Malta. The structure was virtually destroyed in the earthquake of 1755 but was partially rebuilt by the order of the Marquês de Pombal and now it has been converted into an attractive Pousada. The Spanish in 1662 sacked and destroyed the fortifications of Crato and its importance was to diminish thereafter.

To the northeast of Castelo de Videis the Spa Fadagosa. Also, close to the town are a number of Antas (Dolmans) from the Megalithic times and the Menhir de Meada is claimed to be the largest one in the Iberian Peninsular. [link]

Estação Ferroviária de Vale do Peso - Crato . Districto Portalegre - ALENTEJO, PORTUGAL






A Estação Ferroviária de Vale do Peso é uma interface ferroviária desactivada do Ramal de Cáceres, que servia a localidade de Vale do Peso, no Distrito de Portalegre, em Portugal.

O Ramal de Cáceres foi totalmente construído pela Companhia Real dos Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses, tendo as obras sido iniciadas em 15 de Julho de 1878; esta ligação entrou ao serviço no dia 15 de Outubro do ano seguinte, mas a abertura oficial só se realizou em 6 de Junho de 1880.

A operadora Comboios de Portugal suprimiu todos os comboios Regionais no Ramal de Cáceres no dia 1 de Fevereiro de 2011, ficando esta interface sem quaisquer serviços.

Os oitos painéis instalados na estação de Vale do Peso são, tal como os das estações de Castelo de Vide e da Beirã (Marvão) são da autoria de Jorge Colaço, um dos maiores azulejistas portugueses e terão sido produzidos nos anos 30 do século passado.

Jorge Colaço (1868 – 1942)
Estudou pintura em Madrid e em Paris. Foi pintor, caricaturista e azulejista.Distinguiu-se principalmente como caricaturista e desenhador, tendo os seus desenhos sido publicados em alguns jornais da época como O Talassa.São de sua autoria os azulejos do Hotel do Buçaco, os painéis da estação de S. Bento no Porto, assim como os da sala dos Passos Perdidos da antiga Faculdade de Ciências, em Lisboa. Trabalhou na Fábrica de Sacavém até 1922 e depois, na Fábrica Lusitana, onde teve oficina própria. Tem trabalhos em azulejaria em vários países do mundo.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Google Translation

The Train Station of Vale do Peso is an interface disused railway Extension of Cáceres, which served the town of Vale do Peso, the District of Portalegre in Portugal.

The Extension of Cáceres was built entirely by the Company of the Royal Portuguese Railways, having been initiated in the works July 15, 1878, this link entered service on 15 October of the following year, but the official opening took place only in June 6, 1880.

The carrier Train Portugal suppressed all trains in Regional Extension Caceres on February 1, 2011, this interface without getting any services.

The eight panels installed on the station Valley Weight are like the seasons of Castelo de Vide and Beira (Marvão) are by Jorge Colaco, a leading Portuguese azulejistas and have been produced in the 30s of last century.

Jorge Colaco (1868 - 1942)
He studied painting in Madrid and Paris. Was a painter, caricaturist and azulejista.Distinguiu mainly as a cartoonist and designer, and his drawings have been published in some newspapers at the time as The Talassa.São of his own tiles Hotel Buçaco, panels station S. Benedict in Porto, as well as the room of Lost Steps of the former Faculty of Sciences, Lisbon. Worked in the factory until 1922 and then Sacavém, Factory Lusitana, where he had his own workshop. It works on tiles in various countries of the world.

::

Ravensbourne Dunedin new Zealand

Fountain of Triton and the nymphs in Vienna. A statue of Grillparzer and the museum of natural history in the background.

Theseus temple in Vienna, Austria.

_{Northern Italy}

They were crying when their sons left
God is wearing black
He's gone so far to find no hope he's never coming back
[System of a Down]

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